Clause 19

Where in the opinion of the telecommunication authority, there is at any time danger or suspected danger that any tree (which term in this section includes undergrowth) standing or lying near a telecommunication line may interrupt or interfere with telecommunications or cause damage to any telecommunication line, the telecommunication authority may cause the tree to be felled or dealt with in such other manner as will, in his opinion, avert the danger.

Where a tree, which has been felled or otherwise dealt with under subsection (1) of this section, was in existence before the telecommunication line was placed, erected or installed, the telecommunication authority may pay to any person interested in the tree such sum as may be agreed by way of compensation; and in default of agreement shall report the matter to the Collector of Land Revenue, who after giving an opportunity of being heard to all persons interested, shall award, and if necessary shall apportion, such compensation as he thinks reasonable; and such award shall be final.

In the event of the owner or occupier of any land felling or clearing any tree or vegetation adjacent to any telecommunication line, such owner or occupier shall give to the telecommunication authority notice in writing of his intention so to do and shall take all such reasonable precautions as the telecommunication authority may require for the protection of such telecommunication line.

If any such owner or occupier fails to give notice as hereinbefore provided, or having given notice fails to take any such precautions as the telecommunication authority may have required, he shall be liable to pay to the teleommunication authority all costs and expenses incurred in repairing the line and re-establishing communication; the certificate of the telecommunication authority shall be conclusive evidence of the amount of such costs and expenses.

If the amount due for costs and expenses be not paid within seven days after demand the telecommunication authority may report the same to a District Judge and such amount may be recovered in the same way as if it were a fine imposed by such District Court.

If any trees or vegetation are felled or cleared upon land adjacent to any telecommunication line it shall be presumed until the contrary is proved that such trees or vegetation were felled or cleared by the owner or occupier of the land or by his servants or agents acting as such.